Chamberlain has played most of his career out on the wing but sees himself more in the middle of the park for club and country.
Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates after Laurent Koscielny scores their first goal
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has told the Evening Standard he wants to play more in central midfield for both Arsenal and England.
The 23-year-old has often been deployed as a winger throughout his career, but on occasion has featured in the middle of midfield under Arsene Wenger.
And it’s a position he wants to try more often, even practising in training under England interim manager Gareth Southgate with a view to potentially reinvent himself.
“Given the opportunity, I do enjoy playing in central midfield and last week in training with England I was playing more centrally,” he said.
“I really enjoyed that. At the moment, the general dynamic at Arsenal is that we have got a lot of central midfielders who are more specialists in that position and out of that group of players, if you were going to put me in there, I’d be the one who stood out as someone who could play on the wing.
The former Southampton youngster could therefore be an option alongside Jordan Henderson and Dele Alli on Tuesday evening, as rumours on social media appeared to suggest that Wayne Rooney, who played in a deeper role on Saturday against Malta, is to be dropped for the clash with Slovenia.
The Manchester United striker was booed off at Wembley over his poor performance in midfield as his international future was called into question, but Chamberlain has also faced criticisms over his own future at the Emirates.
The Gunner is entering his sixth season at Arsenal without ever really setting North London alight and with two years to run on his contract, could be sold at the end of the season unless he proves his worth.
He’s made five starts this season but his inconsistency and lack of end product has often frustrated those at the Emirates while his frequent injuries have stalled his progress under Wenger and the Three Lions.
Chamberlain was left out of the Euro 2016 squad due to a serious knee injury and has lost his place in the Arsenal side to Alex Iwobi, but insists he still has a lot to offer regardless of where he plays.
“If I get told to play on the wing, there is nothing in me that is annoyed I’m not playing midfield. I know I have got qualities that suit the wing and I’m happy to express myself there.
“Because I’ve been playing on the wing, I’ve focused more on my runs off the ball in behind. That’s because I’m more naturally like a midfielder so I come towards the ball to receive it.
“That’s something I’ve had to work on to become more of a winger. If I play in midfield, I’m still going to get the ball, look to go past people and drive forward with it.
“I don’t think it stunts my development because there is no negative feeling on my behalf.”
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